What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

  • The Fee Is Free™. Only pay if we win.
  • America's Largest Injury Law Firm
  • Protecting Families Since 1988
  • 20 Billion+ Won
  • 1,000+ Lawyers Nationwide

Free Case Evaluation

Tell us about your situation so we can get started fighting for you. We tailor each case to meet our clients' needs.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Our results speak for themselves

The attorneys featured above are licensed in Florida. For a full list of attorneys in your state please visit our attorney page.

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries and financial losses in a car accident, you might wonder what car accident lawyers do and how they could help you. If another party caused your accident recklessly or carelessly, a car accident lawyer can be your best advocate and fight for the compensation you require to go on with your life. 

Car accident lawyers can:

  • Gather the necessary evidence proving negligence
  • Communicate with the at-fault party’s insurance company
  • Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company 
  • Gather and organize your medical records and bills
  • Represent your case in the strongest terms at trial

The dedicated and compassionate attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have fought for the rights of car accident victims for more than three decades. We could help you too. Get started today and find out if you have a case by contacting us for a free case review. 

Proving Negligence in Your Car Accident Case

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 90 percent of all accidents happen due to driver error or negligence. Negligent driving behaviors can include, among others:

  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving a defective vehicle
  • Ignoring traffic signals and signs
  • Generally driving recklessly

Proving negligence of another driver can be challenging, especially in complicated accidents such as multi-vehicle pileups. However, our experienced car accident attorneys can leave no stone unturned in determining all liable parties in your accident and gathering the necessary evidence for proving fault and liability.

Compensation You Could Recover After a Car Accident

A serious car accident can cause life-changing injuries that can potentially prevent victims from ever returning to work or leading an independent life. However, if someone else caused your accident and injuries, you could have legal recourse and recover damages.  

Although compensation will vary, as every car accident case is unique, damages you could collect can include: 

  • Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages
  • Transportation costs
  • Household assistance
  • Pain and anguish
  • Emotional distress 
  • Loss of life quality
  • Disability

If your loved one passed away due to their car accident injuries, you could potentially file a wrongful death lawsuit. Damages generally available in a wrongful death case can include but are not limited to: 

  • Medical expenses before death
  • Loss of financial support and future earnings
  • Loss of benefits from the deceased
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of companionship 

A car accident lawyer is your best advocate when it comes to fighting for the compensation you deserve after a car accident. One of our tenacious and determined attorneys can calculate your damages, gather the evidence required, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today to determine your options.

Negotiating with Car Insurance Companies

An essential part of what car accident lawyers do is protecting your rights in settlement negotiations with an insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always play nice when it comes to paying up. In some cases, car accident victims are presented with a quick, low-ball settlement offer that could later turn out to be entirely inadequate.

If the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts you after an accident, consider discussing the terms of any settlement offers with your attorney first before signing any documents. Your lawyer can determine the value of your case and protect you from getting pushed into accepting a potentially insufficient settlement.  

Consider letting a car accident attorney handle all communication with the at-fault party’s insurance so you do not have to worry about saying or doing something that could be used against you. Insurance companies typically work in their own best interests and aim to preserve their profits. A car accident lawyer, on the other hand, has your best interests at heart.

Scroll down for more
FAQ

Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.

Morgan & Morgan

  • What Are My Next Best Steps After a Car Accident?

    Seek Medical Advice

    Seeking medical advice after a car accident, even if you feel well, can be essential for your health and your case. Some potentially serious conditions can potentially remain undetected for some time. According to the Mayo Clinic, a common car accident injury such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not show any signs for weeks. A medical provider can document your accident injuries in a report, which will be vital evidence in your case.  

    Contact Your Insurance Company

    After an accident, one of your first steps should be contacting your car insurance company to file a claim. Your insurance agent will most likely ask questions about the accident and require information such as the other driver’s contact and insurance details. Your agent should be on hand to guide you and help you understand the claims process.

    Collect and Organize Evidence

    Make sure you keep all records in connection with the accident, such as:

    • Medical bills and reports
    • Receipts for all out-of-pocket costs 
    • Estimates for car damage repair or car replacement
    • Photographs of the accident
    • Police accident reports

    You can never have too much documentation. Every scrap of evidence or receipt could be important for your case and recovery. 

    Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

    Contacting a car accident lawyer can be your best step, especially if you suffered significant injuries and damages. Ensure to gather any relevant records for the first consultation so an attorney can assess your case and advise you comprehensively. 

    An important part of what a car accident lawyer does is analyzing your accident thoroughly and determining whether you need to go to court to recover what you deserve. Working with a car accident lawyer can be critical if you have trouble recovering a fair settlement from an insurance company. 

  • Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

    In many cases, a car accident marks only the beginning of what can be a lengthy and arduous process to recover what you deserve. Handling stacks of paperwork, proving negligence, organizing medical records, and fighting with insurance companies, are just some of the tasks awaiting injured individuals. A car accident lawyer can take charge and deal with all the legal aspects while you are free to recover. 

    Individuals involved in a car accident should protect their legal rights and seek legal advice as soon as possible. Consulting with an attorney can be vital, especially when:

    • You suffered significant injuries 
    • A loved one passed away due to a car accident
    • You incurred steep medical expenses
    • Fault for the accident is contested
    • The insurance company denied or minimized your claim
    • You suffered great physical pain and emotional distress
    • You have lost wages as a result of the crash
    • You have a temporary or permanent disability 

    A car accident attorney can negotiate with insurance companies and handle all aspects of your case while you are healing. A dedicated car accident attorney from Morgan & Morgan can work tirelessly to fight for the compensation you need to put your life back together. 

  • Who Pays for My Medical Bills After a Car Crash?

    Car accident injuries can cause significant financial chaos to a victim and their family. Even if you have no fault in the accident and are entitled to a settlement from another party’s insurance, the money may take weeks or months to come through. You might have to file a lawsuit to recover your medical bills and other expenses, which could take even longer. In the meantime, medical bills are stacking up, and medical providers will be waiting to get paid. 

    Victims are generally responsible for paying their medical bills in the first instance. However, you could have several options:

    • Submitting bills to your private health insurance 
    • Taking advantage of any medical coverage with your car insurance policy
    • Negotiating deferred payments with your medical providers 

    Once you have received a settlement, the insurance company that paid your medical bills will be entitled to receive reimbursement in a process called subrogation. A car accident lawyer can help negotiate with insurance companies and ensure that you do not pay more than you need to.

  • How Do I Know What My Car Accident Case Is Worth?

    Determining the value of car accident cases can be challenging, especially in cases involving catastrophic or permanent injuries. The value of your case can depend on a variety of factors, including:

    • The severity and permanence of injuries
    • Your healthcare costs and estimated future medical expenses
    • The degree of fault of the other party
    • The extent of the at-fault party’s insurance coverage
    • The amount of pain and suffering you endured
    • How the injuries affect your life quality and future 

    There is no set formula for calculating the value of a car accident claim. However, determining the worth of a case is what a car accident lawyer does as part of their work. If you would like to find out how much your case could be worth, arrange a free case review today. Our legal team can assess your case and provide you with more information.

  • Who Pays for My Car Rental Costs After a Car Accident?

    If your car was badly damaged in an accident or is a total write-off, the use of a rental car may be essential as repairing or replacing a car can take some time. So who would be responsible for your car rental expenses in the meantime? 

    If another driver or other party caused your accident and damages, their insurance company is generally responsible for your damages. You could recover the costs of a rental car with an overall car accident settlement. While you are waiting to receive the settlement, however, you may be stuck with having to pay rental car costs out of your own pocket. 

    Your Car Insurance Could Cover Rental Car Bills

    Accident victims with a rental reimbursement clause in their car insurance policy can recover the rental car costs from their own insurer. Bear in mind, however, that the amount you could claim for car rental will depend on your specific policy, and there could be a ceiling. 

  • How Much Time Do I Have for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?

    Determining the best timing for a car accident lawsuit can be somewhat tricky. On the one hand, the statutes of limitations dictate a general deadline for personal injury cases. These deadlines can differ significantly from one state to another. Missing the deadline for filing a suit means your case could be dismissed. You would then be unable to recover compensation.

    On the other hand, filing a car accident lawsuit too soon could also be a mistake. It is generally recommended to wait with filing legal action until the claimant has recovered fully or reached maximum medical improvement with a permanent injury. Once you have recovered to a degree, your medical providers and attorney can estimate future potential medical costs more reliably. Suing and settling too early can mean leaving money on the table. 

    Since the timing of a lawsuit can be critical, victims of car accidents should seek legal advice as soon as possible to protect their rights and preserve their chances of recovering compensation.

  • Morgan & Morgan Is Ready to Fight for You

    If someone else caused your accident, injuries, and financial losses, you should not have to shoulder the burden. However, the path to recovering what you deserve after a car accident can be full of stumbling blocks. Arguing over every cent with insurance companies and defendants can feel frustrating and overwhelming. 

    You do not have to go it alone. Morgan & Morgan can be here for you. We have been assisting car accident victims since 1988 and could help you too. Morgan & Morgan can draw on a team of dedicated attorneys, investigators, and medical experts ready to tackle your case. 

    Our attorneys work on a “no-win-no-fee” basis when we take on your case, so you do not have to pay any fees out of your own pocket. We only get paid if we win and you recover a settlement. Contact us now to find out how we could help you get justice. 

Scroll down for more Load More

How it works

It's easy to get started.
The Fee Is Free™. Only pay if we win.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

  • Step 1

    Submit
    your claim

    With a free case evaluation, submitting your case is easy with Morgan & Morgan.

  • Step 2

    We take
    action

    Our dedicated team gets to work investigating your claim.

  • Step 3

    We fight
    for you

    If we take on the case, our team fights to get you the results you deserve.

Settlement

$40,000,000

Customer Story

“I was in a difficult situation when I was injured by a faulty product. I was hesitant to seek legal help but with the help of Morgan & Morgan, they made the process easy. They took immediate action and got me the compensation I deserved. I couldn't have done it without them. I highly recommend their services.” Estate of Patricia Allen v. RJ Reynolds, et al. | 2014

Client success
stories that inspire and drive change

Explore over 55,000 5-star reviews and 800 client testimonials to discover why people trust Morgan & Morgan.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. Based on Select nationwide reviews

  • Video thumbnail for 5l3q2e67j8
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for yfe952tcop
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for z1bqwg9hkl
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for s5nb3hnvkv
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for t4elibxene
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for 5nr9efxqj3
    Wistia video play button
  • Video thumbnail for e8s1x6u5jp
    Wistia video play button